Career paths aren’t just about climbing the corporate ladder—it’s about uncovering what lights you up and carrying that fire along the journey.
Mary Olson-Menzel, in her thoughtful new book What Lights You Up?, says it best: “Your passion, your purpose, your skills, and your personality will equal your paycheck.” That’s a profound statement.
So, why do over 70% of us wander the workplace, heads down, feeling unlit? (If you believe various employee disengagement data points.) It’s time to shine a light on how we, as leaders, can flip that switch—not only for ourselves but for the people we lead.
Ignite the Light from Within
Too many of us think work is about job titles or ticking boxes. Olson-Menzel disagrees. She says it’s about aligning who you are with what you do.
Olson-Menzel calls it your light, that part of you that fuels everything. “It’s not just about your career or the path you chose,” she reminds us. “It’s about what’s driving you from the inside—your light, your charisma.”
You might get away with pretending for a while, pushing through the motions, but the cracks eventually start to show.
Real leadership of self comes from this place of alignment. It’s not about following a checklist or just getting things done. It’s about having something burning inside you that inspires the same in others.
The 70% Problem: Why the Workforce Feels Dimmed
Olson-Menzel estimates that 70% of the workforce isn’t “lit up.” Think about it. That’s more than two-thirds of employees walking around doing the bare minimum just to get through the day. That’s a staggering loss of potential.
What’s causing this? Too many people get stuck in survival mode, constantly firefighting—meeting deadlines, shuffling through emails, dealing with the next crisis. It’s easy to forget why you’re doing it all in the first place. But if there’s no connection to your deeper purpose, that’s when the lights start to dim.
When that happens, you’re no longer operating with any real heart. Over my years working with organizations, I’ve found that people who stay connected to their sense of purpose see their teams flourish with more creativity, better collaboration, and stronger performance. Purpose isn’t just a feel-good factor—it’s the competitive edge we need in as human beings.
I often suggest declaring your purpose. Mine is simple: “We’re not here to see through each other; we’re here to see each other through.”
Pivoting with Purpose
Being a leader or team member is not easy. It’s full of abrupt U-turns, sharp pains, and times when everything you believed to be stable abruptly changes. The secret is to learn how to pivot while maintaining your identity rather than only responding to change. Olson-Menzel points out that “pivoting doesn’t mean you’re lost.” It’s about knowing how to adapt while keeping your core values intact.
We’ve all experienced these moments—whether it’s a market shake-up or a shift in your personal path. Maybe your company has been acquired, and you’re now going through a painful integration.
When you lead from a place of purpose, those pivots aren’t just about survival. They’re about figuring out the next best step for yourself and those around you. It’s not about waiting for the storm to pass rather adjusting the sails to move forward, despite the turbulence.
Olson-Menzel puts it best: “Leadership is about grace,” and that grace comes from staying connected to what drives you, even when everything around you is shifting.
Lighting the Way for Others
When on the topic of leadership, Olson-Menzel makes it clear that leadership means helping others find their light. “Your light should inspire others to find their own,” she says. It’s about making space for others to step into theirs. As it turns out, being empathetic might help leaders in the eyes of their boss, too.
Research from CCL shines more light on the opportunity. In the study, researchers found that managers who demonstrate greater empathy toward their direct reports are perceived as superior performers by their own direct leader.
But that doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a conscious effort to make room for others to shine. Leadership isn’t a solo act; it’s about being empathetic more often than not and elevating the people around you. When you help them find their light, you strengthen your entire team.
In the midst of the constant pressures we face—whether from external circumstances or self-imposed expectations—it’s easy for our inner light to dim.
Olson-Menzel’s book reminds us that our careers are not just about what we achieve but how we get there. It’s about leading with purpose, staying inspired by what matters most to you, and assisting others in doing the same.
What Lights You Up? is more than just a clever title—it’s a challenge to reflect on how we operate personally and professionally.
Olson-Menzel hits the mark: “It isn’t about finding the next big thing—it’s about finding what lights you up.”
Watch the full interview with Mary Olson-Menzel and Dan Pontefract on the Leadership NOW program below, or listen to it on your favorite podcast.